Shock absorber for handle bars



B. J. MILLER Maren l5, ma.

SHOCK BSORBER FOP. HANDLE BARS Original Filed Sept. lO, 1935 Patented Mee. 15, 193s y 2,111,028

UNITED STATES `1 ArE1vr OFFICE Application september 10,1936, serial No. 100,125

Renewed January 29, 1938 claims. (ci. 74-551.2)

The invention relates to shock absorbers and The memberA I2 may have a substantially obmore particularly to a shock absorber designed long lbase or back portion I4 upon one end porfor the handlebars of motorcycles, bicycles and tion of which thev member I3 is journaled as by similar vehicles. means of the bolt I5 threaded into a suitably 25 The objectv of the improvement is to provide tappedbore i6 in the member I3 and loosely 5 a shock absorber upon the handlebars of amotormounted through a smooth bore Il in the obcycle, bicycle or the like in order to compensate long base portion I4, a washer I 8, nut I9 and for the jolt or shock to the arms and shoulders jam nut 20 being provided upon the outer end of of the rider when the vehicle passes over an obsaid bolt for holding the parts properly adjusted. 10 struction or through a depression in the road- An antifriction bearing is preferably provided 10 Way. for this journal and may be in the form of a A further object is to provide such a shock ball bearing comprising the ball races 2I and 22 absorber which is simple and inexpensive in conformed in the opposed faces of the members I2 struction, eflicient in operation, durable in use, and I3 to receive the balls 23. and easily and quickly installed upon the handle- The members I2 and I3 have the collars 211 15 bars. and 25, respectively, formed thereon in align- Another object ofthe improvement is to promentwith each other and `spaced apart as best vide a shock absorber having spring means for shown in Fig. 1. The severed ends of the handleabsorbing the shock of the impact as well as bar I0 are located through these collars and rigthe rebound so that the rider may ride smoothly idly connected thereto in any suitable manner, 20 over obstructions and depressions in the road. such as by welding, as indicated at 26 in said The above objects together with others which figure. The usual flexible tubing 21 which ordiwill be apparent from the drawing and follownarily extends through the hollow handlebars to ing description, or which may be later pointed house the control wire or cable 28 is not in any out, may be attained by constructing the imway interfered with. K 25 proved shock absorber in the manner illustrated Each of the collars 24 and 25 is provided with and described herein, in which an embodiment an outwardly extending hooked lug 29 to which of the invention is shown as applied to a handlemay be hooked the opposite hooked ends 39 of bar of a motorcycle. one or preferably two strong coil springs 3I, as

30 In the drawing, indicated in the drawing, for the purpose of 30 Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, normally holding the outer end portion of the of portions of a handlebar showing the imhandlebar in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

proved shock absorber applied thereto; The vmember I3 has the inner straight edge Fig. 2, a section taken as on the line 2 2, 32 normally spaced slightly from the shoulder 86 Fig. 1; 33 upon the member I2 and terminating at its 35 Fig. 3, a section taken as on the line 3 3, lower end in the arcuate edge 34. Coil springs Fig. 2; and 35 may be housed within sockets 36 formed in Fig. 4, a fragmentary perspective view of a the member I2, the outer ends thereof bearing portion of a motorcycle handlebar viewed as against the inner edges 32 of the member i3.

from the drivers seat, showing the improved It-should be understood that one of these shock 40 shock absorber applied thereto. absorbers is mounted upon each handlebar and Similar numerals refer to similar parts the springs 3l are of sucient strength to bear throughout the drawing. the weight which the rider ordinarily places A portion of a motorcycle handlebar is indiupon the handlebars so as to hold the outer ends cated generally at i0. In order to apply the imthereof in the usual normal position, as shown 45 proved shock absorber, the handlebar is entirely in Figs. 1 and 4. severed as indicated at II at the point where the In the operation of the improved shock abshock absorber is to be attached. sorber, as an obstacle or depression in the road The shock absorber to which the invention peris encountered by the wheels of. the vehicle, the tains comprises two main parts indicated. gensprings 3l -will permit the outer ends of the 50 erally at I2 and I3, each of which may be in handlebars to swing downward and then return the form of a forging, malleable casting or other to normal position without transmitting any metal construction having suicient strength to sharp jolt or shock to the arms and shoulders of withstand the shocks to which the device is subthe rider and the spring 35 will take up the rejected in use. bound so as to prevent any sharp jolt or shock 55 as the outer end portions of the handlebars return to the normal position.

I claim:

1. In combination with a handlebar severed intermediate its ends, a shock absorber comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together, collars upon said members xed to ad- `iacent end portions of the handlebar, and spring means connected to said collars for normally holding the sections of the handlebar in alignment.

2. In combination with a handlebar severed intermediate its ends, a shock absorber comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together, collars upon said members xed to adjacent end portions of the handlebar, lugs upon the upper sides of said collars, and a spring connected to said lugs for normally holding the sections of the handlebar in alignment.

3. In combination With a handlebar severed intermediate its ends, a shock absorber comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together, collars upon said members xed to adjacent end portions of the handlebar, lugs upon the upper sides of. said collars, a spring connected `lugs upon said collars, a coil spring connected at opposite ends to said lugs, said member with the base portion having a socket therein, and a spring in said socket bearing against the inner edge of the other member.

5. In combination with a handlebar severed intermediate its ends, a shock absorber comprising a pair of members pivotally connected together, collars upon said members fixed to adjacent end portions of the handlebar, and spring means operatively associated with said members for normally holding the sections of the handlebar in alignment.

BENJAMIN J. MILLER. 

